Lumber-measuring instrument.



J. E. R. BEST.

LUMBER MEASURING INSTRUMENT.

AVFLICATION FILED OCT. 30. |916.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

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ATTORNEY WITNESSES v-J. E. n. BEST. LUMBER MEASURING INSTUMENT. APPLICATION FILED 00T. 30| 1916.

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1. E. R. BEST.'

LUMBER MEASURING INSTRUMENT.

APPLCTIONFILED OCT. 30. 196- I 1 ,275,370. Y Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

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l INVENToR wrrNEssEs J .BY v

ATTORNEY -1 UNITED STATES Y'ILATENT OFFRE.

JAMES n.13. BEsT,`- or BoYcEvILLn, 'wIscoNsImv LMBER-MEASURING iNsrRUiviENrf To, all whomz't may concern:

' .forth a simple and positive and rapid means vof adjusting the rotating wheel into `operative position with one' of ayseries of inter- ',mediate gears, whereby a' register is caused claims and illustrated in 50.

" Be it known that I, Jaimev E. R. Basr, va citizen of the United States, residing at -Boyceville, in the county of Dunn and State of Wisconsin, have invented certainnewand luseful Improvements in Lumber-Measuring Il ist'ruments", ofl which the following yis a specification'.

This invention relates to measuring instruments' broadly, and particularly to a scaling machine for registering the number of boardrfeet in boards of different thicknesses and lengths, the object being to provide a machine that is simple in its construction,has.relative few parts and'is accurate in performing the functions called for. Another object of the invention` is to provide aV scaling machine having a rotating wheel over which a board of given length is placed and moved tranversely causing a rotation of the wheel that, through gearing operated thereby, turns a register and'indicates thereon the number of board feet vin the board. l Y.

Ay further object, of the invention is to provide a vmachine of this type "in which the rotating wheel may Abemoved longitudinally of the machine and brought into engagement with any one ofY a Vseries of intermediate gears ythat will operate the register at different speeds whenboards of varying thickknesses and lengths are run over the machine.

f 'A still further object ofthe machine is to provide in a scaling Vmachineof the type set toindicate the number ofxboard feet` in a board v of given? length .j and Ythicknessv when passed. over the machine- Y j u j :With these as theprincipal objects in view and, other objects to be set forth more in detail inthe following description, the invention consists of the novel construction, .combination, and arrangement of vparts hereinafter described, set .forth-in the appended v A the accompanying drawings, in which Y Y Figure 1 is a top planviewj-of. themachine complete, Y

Y Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the machin@ y Fig. Slis a sectional view'on the line f23T-3 Of Fig# 1, f, i i

I Y vTSpecicatioxi of Lettersat-ent.

Patented Angie; 191s.l

Applicatinfiied october 30,1916. serial No. 128,577.

Fig. 4'is a transversesectional view lon the line 4-4 ofthe same figure, and

Figs.. 5, and 6 are detail sectional of the vregistering mechanism.` A

In the drawings', -10 Aindicates a strong views framef comprising twoyupright side plates 111 and 11-b1 connected together at oneend by across plate 12. -Nearthefend of the frame 10 voppositethe'crossi plate 12 uis journaled a horizontal shaft 13, the ends of said shaft being carried by the side plates 11 Vand on said shaft are secured av plurality of-` friction wheels "14 of varying diameters as shown clearly in Fig. 1.A These wheels are each fmade preferably with metal side plates 15,

between which` are clamped a disk or `annulus 16 of some Vfibrous material, such as paper, wood or the like material that will afordfrictional surface-on its peripheral edge;V Between each two friction wheels' 14 is secured al platel, said plates extending v longitudinally beyond the peripheriesof the Ywheels 14 and at one end are connected to a transverse platev 18 thatl is secured in turn vat one end to one ofthe side plates 11 of each of twoplates 17 and between the side asshown, being'rof different diameters and 7formed of side plates 15andf'a fiber center 16 lexactly like the wheels 14. Each pulley 19 is in lin'ejwith one o f the wheels 14 and -the frame.' Between the opposite ends of frictionallyfin contact with the periphery jthereof s o thatV whenever any one of the pulleys is rotated, thewheel in contact therewith is also turned and also the shaft 13.

fThe proportions between the wheels 14 and fthe' pulleys '19 'in' frictional contact therewith are such that the: sides of 'all the pulleys n 19 opposite the wheels are in astraight line "parallel Ato the axis oftheshaft 13 for a Vpurpose to rbe described later.

" YIn rear ofthe kwheel 14'nearest the sideY franfiejllV is afriction wheel 21 in vcontact `with saidV wheel14 androtatable' on a stub fshaft22 carried on the 'inner side vof the Vframe plate. Thisfriction wheel 21 made of two spaced plates 24and25 connected 4by similar' toithe Vwheel 14 .with a fiber center l and inetal' plates :carries on"V its inner side a toothed wheel'23 here shownas being formed aXis of the shaft 22 and are spaced apart al suitable distance to rotate'a toothed wheel 27 engageable therewith'fiXed Aon the shaft 28-y of a register 29.

Adjacent the end of the frame V10 f which the pulleys 19 are mounted is a rigid transverse guide 31 formed of two parallel beams 32 connected together at their endsy vone end an upright hand lever 36, the lower end-of which is divided to straddle the adjacent plate 35 and be secured on the end of the shaft 34, by means of which said shaft isv rocked. Journaled Vin the plates 33, 33a of the guide 31 is a screw shaftv37 parallel to the shaft 34 and situated Ynear `the top of the guide. One end of the screw shaft 37 projects through the plate 33 and has secured thereon a pinion 38 which is engaged by a larger gear 39 journaled on a stub shaft 40 that projects outwardly from a bracket 41 extending rearwardly from the plate 33. On the gear wheel 39 is a handle 42 by means of which said gear wheel is rotated and through the pinion 38 rotation is given to the screwy shaft 37.

The beams 32 of the guide 3l are spaced apartlto provide a channelfway 43 that extends from end t0 end of the guide and in this channel-way is seated a block 44 having .laterally projecting flanges 45 that engage ways 46 cut in the inner faces of the beam 32. By this means the block 44 is enabledY to-move freely from end to end of the guide but is prevented from becoming disengaged therefrom. Through the block 44 is formed a threaded opening for the screw shaft`37 so that upon turning the gear wheel 39 and rotating the screw shaft the block is caused to move endwise along the guide 31.

Projecting upwardly from the top of the block 44 are two lugs 47 spaced apart, to each of which is riveted an upstanding arm 48, said arms forming a bearing for a short shaft 49 on which is mounted a wheel 50 which may be/termed a scaling wheel, said wheel being `formed offtwometal side plates 51 and a centraldisk52 preferably of rubber of slightlyfgreater diameter than the plates V51, which latter are provided with Y ratchet teethr 53 ontheir periphery that are engagedby pawls 54 pivotally mounted on the'block 44 just below the disks. Springs n 55 yhold the pawls in engagement with the ratchets to prevent reverse rotation ofthe scale wheel 50. Y

In using 'the scaling machine abovedescribed, let it he assumed lthatY it is desired to ascertain the number of board feet in Ea lot of. boards 12.7and 14 feet long of various widths and standard thicknesses. The yScalingwheel 50 if in any position other Vthan that shown in Fig. 1 is moved into such'po'sition by grasping the lever 36 with `the left handvand lraising the locking dog 57 that is engaged with teeth 58 on the upper edge of plate 35, moving said lever to -the left, which action rocks the guide 31 in the same direction and withdraws the scaling wheel50 from contact with any one vof the pulleys 19 Ywith which it may beengaged. Holding the lever 36 in theposition described with the left-hand, the Ygear wheel 39 is rotated in proper direction to turn `thewo-rm shaft 37 and cause the block 44 toniove endwise on the guide 31 until vthe scaling wheel is in line with the pulley 19 nearest the side plate 11. The guide 31 is then rocked.A in 'the opposite direction through the hand lever 36 until the scaling wheel is brought into frictional engagement with said pulley, whereupon the pawl 57 engages the teeth v58 and holds said wheel and pulley in contact. The machine is now ready to register the number of square or board feet in all boards having the length of 12 feet and a thickness of one inch, it

being only necessary 'to place one edge ofl theboa-rd against the scaling wheel 50 and the said board resting on the wheel is moved `laterally thereover. This movement causes thev wheel vto turn a peripheral distance Iequal'rto the width of the board, which if 'the latter be v8 inches wide will turn the wheel 50 a peripheral distance of 8 inches, which movement through the pulley 19 and wheel 14 turns vthe friction wheel 21'and toothed wheel 23v mounted thereon a distance sufficient to turn the first disk 30 through the registering wheel 27 "far enough tov indicatel the numeral V8 which shows that theboard contains 8 feet. The scaling wheel 50 will remain in the position indicated duringy the continuance of the measurementjof boards 12 feet long and one inch thick irrespective of 'the width. Whenever thicker or longer boards vare'to "be scaled the scaling vwheel 50 'will be shifted. Ifithe boards arevlinches thick but of thesame length `the wheel'() will be moved in themanner described-to engage the next succeeding pulleyy 19 which is so' proportionedwith; relation to the wheel Y16 that lthe latter willbe revolved faster than the first wheel 14 and this 4,increased speed being carried bythe shaft 13 and first wheel '14 tothe friction wheel'21fthe register will vmove a distance rindicating 10 feet ifthe board measured be 8 inches wide. The next threewheels 14 following. with their pulleys 19 are proportionedy for boards having thicknesses of an inch and a half, inchV andiso threelquarters, and two inches, respectively. The remaining wheels are proportioned for boards 14 feet long and of the several fractional thicknesses from one to two inches.

' The pitch of the screw shaft 37 is such and the proportions between the gear wheel 39 andpinion 38 ofv a degree that it requires butfew turns of the gear Wheel 39 to move the block 44 with the scaling wheel 50 from end to end of the guide 31. No time, therefore, is'lost in'shifting the wheel V50 to suit the board to be scaled as it may be done in the time thatelapses between vthe completion of one board and the bringing of,A a second board in position to be scaled.

"It is to be understood that the proportion between the wheels 14 and pulleys 19 may be varied to suit conditions, the series being grouped `for scaling the boards of such lengths and thicknesses as most desired by the operator. Y y Y Figs. 5an'd6 show one form of registering mechanism which may be used in connection with this machine, and briefly described comprises a shaft 28 on which the tooth register operating wheel 27 is mounted, the inner end of said shaft passing into a case 60 where it carries a series of number wheels 30, 30a, and3()b and 30c capable of registering 9999 board feet of lumber. The number wheel 30 is fixed on the shaft 28, the three remaining wheels turning loosely thereon. On the right side of each number wheel 30a, 30b and 30c is anVV annular row of gearv teeth 61, while on the opposite or facing side of each number wheel 30, 30a and 30b is a short segmental series of teeth 62. Between and engaging each series of teeth 61 and 62 is a pinion 63, 'each pinion turning on a stub shaft 64 mounted within the casingl 60. Each complete rotation of the unit number wheel 30 will cause the segmental teeth 62 to turn the pinion 63, which in turn moves the tens wheel 30El one number, the number of teeth 62 being only sufficient for imparting a tenth of a revolution to the wheel 30a. This latter wheel in turn upon the completion of one revolution moves the hundredths wheel 30b one tenth of a revolution and this wheel in turn imparts a like movement to the thousandths wheel 30c when it completes a rotation. 65 indicates an electric key mounted in the casing and is operated to close a circuit with a register, placed in an office or some other convenient position each time the register 29 counts a thousand feet. This is not necessary for the voperation of the machine, but 1s a convenience appreciated by those in charge.

What I claim is:

l. A machine of theclass described comprising a scaling wheel rotatable by the transverse movement of boards in contact therewith, Aa register, a plurality 0f trains of Y gearing of different sizes, all of said trains being each connected to said register for operating the same, and means for moving said scaling wheel directly into engagement with any one of said trains of gearing to operate said register upon the passage of a board over and incontact'with the scaling wheel. Y 1 f. f

2. vA machine of the class described comprising a scaling wheel rotatable by the transverse movement of `boards incon'ta'ct therewith, a register, a plurality of parallel' trains of gearing, each train adapted yto be driven directly by the scaling wheel at different speeds, a shaft having .one wheel ofV each train fixed thereon, means connecting said shaft to the register for Voperating the latter, andmeans for moving said scaling wheel into engagement with any one of said trains ofV gearing to operate said register upon the passage of a .board over the scaling wheel.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a scaling wheel rotatable by the transverse movement of boards in contact therewith, a register, a shaft, means connecting said shaft to the register for operating the latter, a plurality of Wheels of different diameters fixed on said shaft, a plurality of other wheels of different diameters i each mounted to drive one of the wheels on said shaft and having one side of their peripheral surfaces in a plane parallel with the axis of the scaling wheel,l and means for moving said scaling wheel into engagement with any one of said'trains of gearing to operate said register upon the passage of a board over the scaling wheel..- 1 f L 4.-A machine ofthe class described com'- prisingy a scaling wheel ,rotatable by the transverse movement of boards in contact therewith, a 'rocking` frame carryingsaid' scaling wheel, a register, a shaft, means connecting said shaft to the register for operating the latter, a plurality of wheels of dierent diameters fixed on lsaid shaft, a plurality of other wheels of different diameters each mounted to drive one of the wheels on said shaft and all havingone side of their peripheral surfaces in a plane parallel with the axis of the scaling wheel, means for moving said scaling wheel axially into alinement with any one of said latter named wheels, and means for rocking the scaling wheel frame to cause the engagement of the'scaling wheel and the wheel with which it is alined to operate the register upon the passing of a board over the scaling wheel.`

5. A machine of the class described connv and each train having one side Aof the fperipheral surface of one of its wheels-in a plane parallel with the axis of the scaling wheel, a rocking frame carrying said sca-ling wheel and extending transversely .across said trains of gearing, a wormshaft iextending longitudinally of said rocking frame, means for rotatingsaid worm shaft for moving said scaling wheel in line with any one of said trains of gearing, and means for rocking said sealing wheel frame to engage and disengage said scaling wheel and one of said trains of gearing.

6. A machine of the class described-comprising a scaling wheel rotatable bythe transverse movement of boards in Contact therewith, a plurality of trains 4of gearing of different sizes connected .with and adapted to operate a register, arooking frame carrying said scaling wheel vandeX- tending transversely of said trains ofgearing, a block slidable longitudinally in said rocking frame provided with bearings vfor the scaling wheel, a screw shaft mounted in the rocking frame and adapted to move said block and scaling wheel, manual means Afor rotating said screw shaft for aliningsaid scaling wheel with any one of said trains of gearing, and means for rocking thescaling wheel to and from a train of gearing.

7. A machine of the class described cornprising a scaling wheel rotatable by the transverse movement of boards invcontaet therewith, a plurality of trains of gearing of different sizes, aV register operable by each of said trains, a rocking frame extending transversely of said trains, a block slidably mounted 'in said rocking frame and movable longitudinally thereof, bearings carried by said Sblook for -said ,scaling wheel, La screw shaft mounted in said rocking frame and having threaded engagement with said block, manually operated means on the rocking frame' for turning said shaftand moving said block and sealing wheel in alinement rwith any one `of said trains of .gearing, and -means .for .rocking said :frame v,to engage said scalingwheel withthe alined frame. n l l Y 8. A `machine ofthe .class :described comprising a rigid frame, a shaft' mounted transversely in said frame, a pluralityof wheels of differentldiameters vfixed on said shaft, a registermounted on said frame, intermediate gearing between said' shaft .and said register for operating the latter, `aplurality of pinions of dierent diameters each operatively engaged with one ofthe wheels on the transverse shaft,-the outer side ofthe periphery of each of said pinionsialining, a rocking frame adjacent said pinions, a'block slidable longitudinally therein, a scaling wheelmounted in bearings on said block, a worm shaft extending longitudinally ofthe rocking frame and .adapted to move Athe block endwise therein for the `purpose of alining the scaling .wheel with any one of said `pinions, .and .means for moving said scaling wheel into engagement with the alinedpinion andinaintaining such engagement. I

In testimony whereof lI..afiX mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES E. R. BEST.

NVitnesses .NETTIE DUNCAN, LAURA DUNCAN.

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